Stanley Cup Playoffs roundtable: First round predictions

(7) Columbus Blue Jackets vs (2) Tampa Bay Lightning

Michael: Last season the Blue Jackets stunned the hockey world by sweeping the Lightning the 2018-19 Presidents’ Trophy winners. Stamkos and Hedman aren’t healthy and if they play will they be effective? The Blue Jackets don’t beat themselves and are a typical Tortorella well-disciplined team.

Not sure this Lightning team is built for the grind of the NHL playoffs and having question marks for 2 of their top 4 scorers doesn’t help their cause. To have a chance in this series the Lightning need to play tough smash-mouth hockey because the Blue Jackets are near the bottom of the league in converting PP goals. Is that in Lightning DNA?

Dave: This isn’t the same team who beat the Lightning last season. But the Blue Jackets are still going to put up quite a fight. Lightning in seven.

Jasmine: With Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman out, it will be very hard for the Lightning to win. Especially since they’re built so similarly to the Maple Leafs. The Blue Jackets will take this series in 6 games.

Brendan: The Blue Jackets will trump Tampa once again after coming off of a huge win over the Maple Leafs. Tampa is still quivering from their 4-0 series loss a year ago, and with numerous injuries to key players, they’ll have a hard time dealing with the team that has unmatched coaching.

Alex: Hedman and Stamkos are still out of the lineup but Tampa is a deep team at both ends of the ice. They should be a tougher opponent for Columbus than Toronto. Tampa in 4.

Matt: The Bolts can’t lose to the Jackets two years in a row, right? I have my doubts, but Tampa Bay is such a talented team, and suffering back to back first-round exits just doesn’t seem right. This series will be closer than maybe it should be, but the Lightning will find a way.